Loose-leaf binder



Feb. 9, 1954 R.. l.. McvEAN LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledMarch 16, 1950 fifi,"

Feb. 9, 1954 Filed March 16, 1950 R. L. MCVEAN LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 9, 19.54

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'The present invention relates to binders,and more particularly to binders for loose leaf materials such asbinders for corporation minute books.

Many and various forms of binders have been used heretofore toreleasably bind loose leaf materials. These binders are generallyconstructed to grasp the sheets to be bound along one edge thereof andare adapted to be assembled and disassembled to insert new-sheets ofmaterial or remove old and worn sheets of material. The binders of thistype which have been used heretofore have possessed certaindisadvantages. For example, the bound pages when opened do not lie flatand hence necessitate spreading of the` pages by hand while the pagesare being read and usually necessitates the use of a Wide marginv alongthe bound edge of the sheets being bound. The use of relatively widemargins necessarily increases the thickness of the bound volume neededto contain a given amount of material. Furthermore, the mechanism forlocking the sheets in the binder used heretofore are relativelydiiiicult to operate and tend to cause injury to the f ngers andfingernails of the user when inserting or removing sheets from thebinder.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improvedloose leaf binder in which the leaves lie relatively nat when the leavesare spread for the purpose of reading.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loose leaf binder of thetype described in which narrower margins can be used on the sheets beingbound whereby to reduce the size of the bound volume necessary tocontain a given amount of information.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loose leaf binderhaving an improved and simplified structure for locking the loose leafsheets in place in the binder.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved bindingpost for loose leaf binders; more specically, it is an object to providean improved expandable binder post.

A still further object of the invention isto provide an expandablebinder post for loose leaf binders, which post has means formed thereonto limit the amount of expansion thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a loose leaf binderof the type set forth above which is economical in construction andwhich may be made by standard fabrication steps.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe :following specilication when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used toindicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a loose leaf binder made inaccordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the loose leaf binder shown in Figure1 with the bound sheets and the cover thereof removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged View in cross section of the binder shown inFigure 1, the binder being shown in the closed position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the binder shown in Figure 1substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 4 4thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the binderelements shown in Figure 2 substantially as seen in the direction of thearrows along the line 5--5 thereof;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the binder post shown in Figure 5substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 6 6of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the binder post shown in Figures 1-6,the binder posts being shown in the expanded position;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the binder links shown inFigures 1-7 Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view illustrating onepreferred form of a locking bar used in the present invention;

Figure 10 is a View similar to Figure 9 showing a -modiled form ofbinder link and the locking bar -used with this modified form of link;

Figure l1 is an enlarged partial View in cross section of the modifiedform of binder post shown in Figure 10 substantially as seen in thedirec-A tion of the arrows along the line I l-II thereof;

Figure 12 is a perspective view-of another form of binder post embodyingthe principles of the present invention, this form comprising two postelements;

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of the binder Y post shown in Figure12, the binder post being shown assembled in a binder structure;

Figure 14 is a perspective View of another binder post made inaccordance with the present invention and a section of the hinge memberassociated therewith;

Figure l5 is a partial perspective view of. a

modied form of hinge plate, particularly adapted for use with thepresent invention;

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating 3 the manner in which thehinge plate of Figure cooperates with a binder post made in accordancewith the present invention; and

Figure 17 is a perspective view of another preferred form of locking barsuitable for use in the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1-8, there hasbeen shown a loose leaf binder made in accordance with the presentinvention, a corporation minute book being shown for purposes ofillustration. The finished book generally designated by the numeral 20comprises a plurality of loose sheets or pages 22 which are providedwith perforations at one Aedge thereof to receive binder posts, a pairof book covers 24 and 26, and a binder generally designatl ed by thenumeral 28 and best seen in Figure 2. The cover hinge plates and 32receive and are preferably embedded in covers 24 and 26 respec tively.The covers 24 and 26 are joined by a back member 29 which also serves toconceal the binder 28.

Binder 28 includes a pair of cover hinge plates 30 and 32 which arehingedly connected to hinge members 34 and 36 respectively as at 38 and48. More specifically hinge rods 42 and 44 extend the length of thehinged junctions 38 and 40 respectively to form a pair of so-calledpiano hinges. Hinge members 34 and 36 are provided with a pair ofapertures through which extend identical binder posts 46. The binderposts 46 are adapted to extend through the perforations in pages 22whereby to hold these pages assembled in book form between the hingemembers 34 and 36. A pair of identical locking bars 48 serve to hold thebinder and the sheets therein in assembled position.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 5 8 there are shown thedetails of the improved binder post 46 of the present invention. Thisform of binder post comprises three elements: a cylinder 59, and a pairof binder links 52 and 54 which telescopingly slide within cylinder 58and within each other. Cylinder 50 in the form shown has a rectangularcross section and is formed from a sheet of relatively thin gaugematerial, preferably metal, by folding into the shape shown. As a resultof its method of formation, cylinder 58 has a pair of longitudinallyextending edges 56 and 58 which meet along one side thereof. It is to beunderstood, however, that a cylinder having a continuous periphery canbe pro-i vided by forming the cylinder from an extruded tube. As may bebest seen in Figure 7, cylinder 50 has a pair of retaining ears 68 and62 which are formed from the body of the cylinder on side 63 and extendinwardly toward the opposite side 65 in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

One binder link 52 has been shown in detail in Figure 8 and will be usedfor purposes of illustration since binder link 54 has substantially thesame construction as binder link 52. Binder link 52 is preferably formedof a resilient material such as light gauge metal and comprises asubstantially imperforate plate member 64, a second plate member 66 anda bight portion 68 interconnecting plate members 64 and 66. In vthe formshown in Figure 8 the bight portion 68 is substantially plane andextends perpendicularly with respect to plate members 64 and 66. Platemembers 64 and 66 are substantially rectangular and have a width whichis slightly less than the width of cylinder 50iA and bight pfiftion 68has a width slightly less than the depth of cylinder 56 whereby to allowbinder link 52 to be slidably inserted within cylinder 58. late member66 has a rectangular aperture 'i0 formed therein which extendssubstantially the length thereof. Aperture 10 is adapted to receive theear 68 formed on cylinder 50 when link 52 is inserted within cylinder50. Ear 60 in cooperation with aperture i8 serves to limit the distancelink 52 can be withdrawn from cylinder 50.

Binder member 54 comprises a plate member 'I2 and an imperforate platemember 'I4 which are joined by a bight portion 16. Plate member l2 hasan aperture T8 formed therein which corresponds to aperture 16 in platemember 66 of link 52 land is adapted to receive ear 62 of cylinder 50.

As may be best seen in Figure 5 the apertured plate member 'l2 of link54 is disposed against the inner wall of top side 63 of cylinder 50 andthe apertured plate member 66 of link 52 is disposed beneath and bearsagainst the apertured plate member 12 of link 54. On the other side ofcylinder 50 the imperforate plate member 64 of link 52 lies against thelower side 65 of cylinder 50 and the imperforate plate member 14 of link54 lies above plate member 64. The end of the plate member 66 of link 52is turned downwardly and inwardly as at 88 and the end of plate member14 of link 54 is turned upwardly and inwardly as at 82. Turning ends 88and 82 inwardly facilitates assembly of the binder links 52 and 64within cylinder 50 since these upturned ends will tend to ride over theends of the adjacent plate members during assembly.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 9 it will be seen that the bightportions 68 and 'i6 of the end members 62 and 64 respectively extendthrough substantially rectangular apertures in their associated hingemembers 34 and 36. Means is provided to limit the extent that the bightportions can extend outwardly through hinge members 34 and 36 in theform of shoulders such as the shoulders 84 on binder link 52 and theshoulders 86 on link 54.

The binder links and their associated hinge members are held inassembled position on a locking bar 46 in a manner best illustrated inFigure 9. Locking bar 48 comprises a substantially rectangular sheet ofrelatively iniiexible material preferably made of metal which has aportion bent out of the plane thereof to form a handle portion 88. Apair of apertures and 82 are formed in locking bar 48 and have a widthgreater than the thickness of the links 52 and 54. Formed integral withand lying in the plane of the body portion of locking bar 48 is a pairof locking pins 84 and 96 which extend into apertures 50 and 92 in adirection substantially parallel to the axis of locking bar 48. Thewidth of pins 64 and 96 is slightly less than the inner width of bightportions 68 and 16 whereby the locking pins can fit within these bightportions. Pin 96 is preferably formed slightly longer than pin 94whereby pin 66 is inserted in its associated link before pin 94 isassociated in its associated link. This construction enables the pins 94and 96 to be inserted substantially in'- dependently of each otherwhereby to simplify assembly of the binder.

If it is desired to permanently bind the material within the cover, thehandle portion 88 may be removed by bending with a suitable instrumentsuch as a pair of pliers as has been customary heretofore.

-Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown in detail the manner in whichthe present vbinder post' facilitates opening of thev bound volume. Whenopening the volume, the book covers 24 and 2S are preferably laid flatas is customary in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4. The pages 22are opened to the desired place, and the weight of the open pages tendsto spread the upper ends of hinge members 34 and 36 apart bypivotingthese hinge members about the hinge points 38 and 40 respectively. Asthe upper ends of hinge members 34 and 36 move away from each other, thebinder links 52 and 54 are withdrawn from cylinder 50, the amount ofwithdrawal being limited by the contact between retaining ears 60 and 62with the ends of apertures 10 and 13. The binder links as stated aboveare formed of a resilient springlike material which allows the binderlinks to be slightly curved when the pages are opened as is showninFigure 4. Preferably the binder links are slightly curved when formed,as may be seen in Figure 8, whereby to facilitate this last describedaction. When the volume is closed, the book covers 24 and 26 serve tourge the binder links 52 and 54 inwardly to theposition shown in Figure5. Y

There is shown in Figures 10 and l1 a modified form of binder link andthe Vlocking bar which is used with this modified form of binder link.The binder link 52a is similar in construction to binder link 52 butdiffers therefrom` in that the bight portion 98 is rounded as may bebest seen in Figure l1 as contrasted with the substantially square bightportion 6B of binder link 52. The locking bar used with binder link 52ais circular in cross section and has such a diameter as to t within thebight portion '95. A handle portion |02 is formed at substantially rightangles with respect to the remainder of the locking bar |00. It will beseen that this arrangement also allows insertion of the locking bar ineach binder link independently of the remaining binder links.

Another form of binder post is shown in Figures 12 and 13. This binderpost is a two-piece post as compared with the three-piece binder postshown in Figures -8. The cylinder 50h is provided with a slot andretaining ear 62h at one end thereof as does cylinder 55 of Figure '7,but the other end has an integral link portion |94 extending therefrom.Link portion I 04 is narrower than the width of cylinder 50h and ispreferably of the same width as the bight portion Gab on the binder link52h which cooperates with cylinder 52h. The link portion |04 is bentdownwardly to form a bight portion |5 and is bent again inwardly to forma second link portion |08 which nts within the body of cylinder 50h. Thelink portion |68 is provided with laterally extending ears IIB, theoverall width of which is slightly less than the Vwidth of cylinder 50hwhereby they fit within cylinder 50h and aid in holding link portions|94 and |08 in the proper assembled position.

Binder link 5219 is similar to binder link 52 and diners therefrom onlyin that the end of plate member 56h is not bent inwardly as is platemember 66. The end of plate 64b is bent upwardly to allow it to passover ears IIB. The operation and use of the binder post shown in FiguresvI2 and I3 is substantially the same as the binder post shown in Figures5-8.

Yet another form of binder post is shown in Figure 14. This binder postcomprises three members, namely, a cylinder 50 which is identical withthe cylinder 4shown in Figure '7 and a, pair post shown in Figures 5-8..

of binder links 52o and 54e. The binder links 52e and 54e are similar tobinder links 52 and 54 but are provided with another form of bightportion. Instead of being provided with shoulder portions such asshoulder portions 84 and 86 on binder links 52 and 54 respectively, anotch is formed in the center of the bight portion whereby to, ineffect, provide a pair of bight portions ||2 and ||4 on link 52o and asimilar pair of bight portions I I6 and ||8 on binder link 54a.

A modified form of hinge member 34o is used in conjunction with themodified binder links of Figure 14. Instead of a single aperture, a pairof apertures |20 and |22 are provided to receive the bight portions suchas the bight portions I I2 and I I4 on link 52o. This construction alsopositively prevents binder link 52e from passing through hinge member34e and makes possible the assembly of these parts by means of a lockingbar. The other parts of the binder are of the saine structure as thecorresponding parts of the binder shown in Figure 2. The operation andapplication of the binder post shown in Figure 14 isv substantially thesame as that of the binder There is shown in Figures l5 and 1G anotherform of hinge member which is particularly adapted to be used in thepresent invention. 'I'hese hinge members 34a and 35a are similar inconstruction to hinge members 34 and 35 shown in Figure 2 and differtherefrom only in the shape of the aperture which receives the bightportion of the binder links. The aperture in hinge members 34a and 35ahave aportion |2ii and |25 which are only slightly wider than the widthof the bight portions and are of thesame width as the apertures in hingemembers 34 and 3B. The width of thev apertures i211 and |25 is increasedon the side thereof adjacent the hinge points 38a and 40a as at |23 andi3d. The width of the aperture at |28 and |35 is slightly greater thanthe greatest width 'of the shoulder portions such as the shoulderportions 84 and 85 of binder links 52 and 54respectively. This modifiedform of aperture in the hinge members 34a and 35a facilitates theoperation of the expandable binder post.

Referring now to Figure 16 there is shown in diagrammatical form acomparison of the action of hinge members Sil-35 and 34a-36a. There isshown in dotted lines a pair of binder links 52 and 54 in a positionwhich they would assume if used with the hinge members S4 and 3%. Itisseen that due to the connection between the hinge members and thebinder links the binder links 52 and 54 are disposed at substantiallyright angles with respect to the hinge members. With this form ofconnection the extent to which the hinge members can be rotatedoutwardly -away from each other is limited by the resiliency andbendability of the binder links.

Also shown in Figure 1G in solid lines is the manner in which the binderlinks coact with the modiedv hinge members 34u, and Sta; As the hingemembers are rotated outwardly away from each other, the plate membersdisposed toward the hinge points move through the widened apertures at|28 and |38 whereby to, in effect, allow the binder links to rotate andassume the position shown in Figure 1'6 instead of being disposedperpendicularly with respect to the hinge members. Due to thisconstruction the upper end of hinge members 34u,v and 35a can be spreadfarther apart whereby to allow the pages 22 to lie more nearly flat.

ini Eigure 17 there?. is shownfzaz :modified term oilockingg' hanna.:Thislocking :bar :isfsimilanto lo'ckingebarY 48 'and'diiiers'therefrom. inA thatv the locking pin 96a -`is :not surrounded bymaterial as is' the lockingypin :offllocking-bar 48. ,-The remainingparts of the locking barflBa-areidentioalvinconstruction withthecorresponding parts of-flockingbarfd. The form of lockingsbar. shownFigure 1'7 in certain applications renders the operationcf the lockingbar more easy.

Although itfhas been stated aboveithat light gauge metal' is a preferredmaterial of construction for the elements forming the binderA post, itis` to be funderstood thatxother suitable materials of vconstructionmaybe used. In particular-.toertain plastics have the necessarydesirablecharacteristics, and 'may be used to form` these parts.

.There has been provided a Abinder structure which` fullls -all of' theobjects set forthabove. More-specifically, a binder has been provided inwhich the leaves bound therein liemore'nearly iiat when the leaves arespread, whereby to'imake use ofthe .binder more easy.` Thestructure ofivthe present .invention `is mechanically; simple, easily operated, andeconomical inconstruction.

Certain preferred embodiments ,of the invention have been setforth forpurposes of illustration. Itis to be understood that various changesandmodioations can beVv made therein without departing fromthe spiritand scope of the -invention. The invention therefore is to be'lmitedonly-asset forthin the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed' as follows:

1. -A binder post comprising a cylinder, a U- shaped link including apairof plate members and a-.bight'rportion joining said plate members atone end thereof, said platemembers being. telescopically and slidablydisposed within said cylinder, and means formed on said cylinder and oneof said plate members to limit' the distancethat the link can bewithdrawn from the cylinder.

2. A binder post comprising a rigid cylinder and a resilient link, saidcylinder including a .pair oi rectangular side members joined along. thelongitudinally extending sides thereof, a. link includllgfa. pair.of;spaced.apartiplate members and a bight portion joining said platemembers at one end thereof, the width of. said plate members beingslightly less than the width off said side members, said plates beingtelescopically and slidably positioned within said cylinderlwith thebight portion extending .away from said cylinder, a longitudinallyextending slot formed in one of said `plate members, and a projectionformed'on one oi said side members and extending through said slottoward the other side membensaid projection and slot cooperating tolimit the distance which the linkL can begwithdrawn from the cylinder.

3. A binder post comprising` arcylinderanda link, said cylinderincludinga pairoffrectangular side members joined along the longitudinallyextendingr sides thereof, a link including apair of spaced apart platemembers and a bight portion joining said plate members -at oneendzthereof, said bight portion having-a notch formed therein providingtwo f connecting portions `having shoulders therebetween, .the width-'ofsaid plate members being slightly 1 less than 'the' width-:of said` sidemembers, said plates'being telescopically and slidably positioned withinsaid cylinderawith ther bightportion.. extending away from saidcyl-:ix'ider.;a:longitudinallyiv .extendingcsiotf formed in one tof t saidplate members, zand-1a projection formed onvone' of-:said side "membersand. extending through-'said slot towardl the .otherrside member,:saidprojection `and sloti cooperating to limit the -,distance which. the alink can be withdrawn fromthe'cylinder.

.4., A bindercomprisingfamair vof hinge members,y means interconnectingIsaid-hinge members along-:one edge thereof,"a binder-postinterconnectingV said hinge.- members 4at apoint spaced from, saidoneedge,- said` binder ipost includingfa rigid .cylinder .having'-.a:pair .of .-side members .joined alongV thelongitudinally-extending: edges V.thereof andf-av resilient -link having`-'a pair .of spaced apartgplatesr-.and arbight .portion joiningsaidplates` at one end'. thereof means interconnecting oneaend of4 :saidcylinder t to. one :ot-.said -hingeA members; said4 plates beingtelescopicaliy and-slidably disposed' within, the otherend of saidcylinder -withf the bight :portion extending f Ioutwardly away fromsaidv cylinder, means interconnecting. said .b ight portion` and theotherfof said hinge members, andy means formed onsaid cylinder and-saidli-nkto` limit'thedistance-fthat said link can bewithdrawnfromsaideylinder.

5..'v A binder comprisingxa. pairof# hinge-.members, meansinterconnectingA said :hinge :mem- .bers-along vone edgethereofpa-binder post interconnecting said hinge members .at a pointspaced from. said one edge,.said binderefpost includingxa cylinderhaving a pair of `side .members joined along-the longitudinallyextending edgesthereof and a link having .a pairiof. spaced apart.plates and a-bight portionjoiningsaid plates'at one end thereof ,imeans interconnecting` -one- .end .of said cylinder to one 'of saidhinge membersfsaid. plates vbeingtelescopically` andslidably-.disposedwithin the other end of said cylinder with the bight.portion extending outwardly-away from saidcylinder, said bight portionhaving a notch therein providing two connecting portions having4shoulders therebetween, an adjacent :pair of -apertures formed in theother vof saidhinge members to receive said two connectingY portions,said shoulders abutting againstsaid other hinge member to limitthedistancethat said bight portion extends into saidv apertures, meansvpositioned between .the -inner-surfaceof said. connecting portions andsaid other` hinge membertoconnect said link. to said hingemember, andmeans. formed on. said` cylinder. and said link to. limit the.distancethatsaid link .can .be .withdrawn` from.- said. cylinder.

. RAYM'OND L. MCVEAN.

References :Cited .in the iilev of thisA patent UNITED.- STATES vPATENTS Number Name Date 921,467 "SchaubetaL '-May 11, 1909 967,535Mewes Aug. 16, '1910 "1,116,054 Glaser NOV.'3,'1914 1,250,203-.Morehouse Dec. 18,'1917 1,562,748 Engel et al 'Nov."24, 1925 1,689,401l-McCl'iesney Oct. 30,4 1928 1,979,900 Nichols Nov.6, 1934 2,222,547'Talley Nov. 19,-'1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 286,032Great;.Britain 2,1928

